Margaret A. Oetzel1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 17970, (1860 - 1947)
FatherGeorge Oetzel4,2 (13 Jul 1817 - 5 Jan 1870)
MotherAnna Catharina Berck4,2 (27 Feb 1814 - 5 Feb 1876)

Key Events:

Birth: 20 Jun 1860, No. 56, Breitenbach4,5,6
Marriage: 15 Feb 1883, Peoria, Illinois, William Minch (16 Feb 1851 - 13 Mar 1903)7,8,9
Divorce: about 1899, William Minch (16 Feb 1851 - 13 Mar 1903)10,11
Death: 4 Jan 1947, Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois12,13
Burial: 7 Jan 1947, Glendale Cemetery, Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois2,14
ChartsSelected Descendants of Sebastian and Anna Eva Goembel

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Margaret A. Oetzel was born on 20 Jun 1860 in No. 56, Breitenbach.4,5,6 She was baptized on 8 Jul 1860 in Breitenbach with Anna Margaretha Berck from Reckerode, Heinrich Berck’s wife as sponsor.4 Margaret was baptized as Anna Margaretha Oetzel, but in the U. S. she used the name Margaret A. Oetzel.1,15,2
     Margaret arrived in New York on 12 Nov 1878, aboard the S. S. Nederland, having departed from Antwerp, Belgium. She traveled third class, and at age 18 seems to be traveling alone.16,17,18 She was naturalized in 1883.18,19
     Margaret married William Minch, son of John Minch and Catharine Goembel, on 15 Feb 1883 in Peoria, Illinois.7,8,9
     After their marriage, Margaret and William moved to a farm he owned in Roberts, Ford Co., about 1885.20 William and Margaret's relationship seems to have been difficult, as described by a newspaper article after his death:
He had drank for many years and, when drinking, affected cowboy ways, often flourishing a pistol and sometimes carrying a shotgun. He liked to fire at a mark and sometimes made boastful threats as to using a pistol or gun. Drinking ruined him, as it has other countless thousands, and his wife found living with him unbearable. She applied for a divorce, but reconsidered it on his promise to do better. He did not reform and she secured a divorce.21
     Margaret and William were divorced about 1899.10,11 After her divorce, Margaret returned, about 1899, to Washington.22 She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, enumerated 5 Jun 1900, reporting that she rented her home. Her children Anna, Milton and Emma were listed as living with her.3
     On the morning of 13 Mar 1903, Margaret found her ex-husband at her door, having just shot and killed her brother Adam.23,24,25 A warning telegraphed from Farmdale had failed to reach her, so he arrived without warning. He forced his way into the house and attacked her with a knife, cutting off a portion of her right ear and cut her hand, then left. It appears he had intended to maim and not to kill her, as he was quoted as saying that he had marked her so that he would know her in heaven.21
     He died later that day in Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, of a gunshot by his own hand.26,27
     Margaret appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, at East Jefferson, enumerated 24 Apr 1910, reporting that she owned her home, free of mortgage. Her children Lillian, Augusta, Carl, Anna, Milton and Emma were listed as living with her.28
     She appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, enumerated 17 Jan 1920, reporting that she rented her home. Her children Carl, Anna, Milton and Emma were listed as living with her, as was Amelia Minch, sister of her late husband.29
     Margaret appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, at Pine St., enumerated 9 Apr 1930, reporting that she owned a home valued at $2,800, and owned a radio. Her children Carl and Anna were listed as living with her.30
     She appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, on East Quarte, enumerated 24 Apr 1940, reporting that she owned a home valued at $1,500. Her children Carl and Anna were listed as living with her.31
     Margaret died on 4 Jan 1947 in Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, at age 86.12,13 She was buried on 7 Jan 1947 in Glendale Cemetery, Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois.2,14

Children:
     Children with William Minch:

  • Lillian Minch28,32 (abt 1883 - )
  • Augusta Minch28,32 (1885 - 29 Dec 1978)
  • Carl R. Minch32,28,29 (2 Jan 1888 - 8 Sep 1973)
  • Anna C. Minch32,3,28 (1 Feb 1892 - 17 Jan 1974)
  • Milton William Minch32,3,28 (1 Apr 1897 - 26 Jan 1975)
  • Emma E. Minch3,28,29 (May 1899 - )

Citations

  1. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", Breitenbach 1852 – 1880, Baptisms 1860 p 45 no. 215, shows name as Anna Margaretha Oetzel.
  2. [S3462] "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," FamilySearch.org, record for Margaret A. Minch, citing FHL #1991701 and cert no 4071.
  3. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  4. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", Breitenbach 1852 – 1880, Baptisms 1860 p 45 no. 215.
  5. [S3462] "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," FamilySearch.org, record for Margaret A. Minch, citing FHL #1991701 and cert no 4071, shows date, and country, as Germany.
  6. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows month, year, age 39, and country, as Germany.
  7. [S3545] "Mrs. Margaret Minch Dies in Washington," Metamora Herald, 1 Jan 1947, shows date, city, and state.
  8. [S3542] William Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows him as married 16 years, with his wife not present, but their oldest child was born about 1883.
  9. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows Amelia Minch as sister-in-law (Amelia was William's sister).
  10. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows she obtained a divorce, and returned to Washington about 4 years ago.
  11. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows her as divorced.
  12. [S3462] "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," FamilySearch.org, record for Margaret A. Minch, citing FHL #1991701 and cert no 4071, shows date, town, county, and state.
  13. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 41677723, Margaret A. "Maggie" Oetzel Minch, shows date, state, and includes photo of tombstone showing date.
  14. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 41677723, Margaret A. "Maggie" Oetzel Minch, includes photo of tombstone showing date.
  15. [S3538] Nederland arrival 6 Mar 1935, Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, shows name as Anna M. Oetzel.
  16. [S3538] Nederland arrival 6 Mar 1935, Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, she is listed as Anna M. Oetzel, with no recognizable names listed with her.
  17. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows year.
  18. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows year.
  19. [S3540] Margaret Minch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows naturalized.
  20. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows location, and "about 15 years ago."
  21. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903.
  22. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows she returned to Washington about 4 years ago.
  23. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, provides detailed account.
  24. [S3186] "Diabolism of Minch," Muskegon Daily Chronicle, 14 Mar 1903, provides briefer version, as does the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, 15 Mar 1903, pg 35.
  25. [S54] Pound, Glabe Family, pg 29, shows murderer as "a fanatic named Minch," Oetzel was working in his barn, and that Minch was shot while trying to escape.
  26. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows means of death, location, and events happened "Friday afternoon."
  27. [S3526] Muller, histories of the Minch and Goembel Families, shows date, with year as 1905.
  28. [S3537] Margaret Minch household, 1910 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  29. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  30. [S3540] Margaret Minch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  31. [S3541] Margaret Minch household, 1940 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  32. [S3545] "Mrs. Margaret Minch Dies in Washington," Metamora Herald, 1 Jan 1947.